Bleaching composition comprising a polyhydroxy carboxylic acid

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to bleaching composition for keratin fibres, especially human hair, comprising at least one compound with bleaching and/or highlighting effect and a specific chelating agent. The object of the present invention is a substantially water free bleaching and/or highlighting composition for keratin fibres, especially human hair, comprising at least one compound with bleaching and/or highlighting effect and a polyhydroxy carboxylic acid and/or its salt as a chelating agent. Suitable and most preferred is gluconic acid and its salts especially mono valent cation salts such as sodium, potassium and ammonium salts.

This application is a 371 application of PCT/EP2011/073998 filed Dec. 23, 2011, which claims foreign priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of European Application No. 10016113.2 filed Dec. 28, 2010.

The present invention relates to bleaching composition for keratin fibres, especially human hair, comprising at least one compound with bleaching and/or highlighting effect and a specific chelating agent.

Hair bleaching is a common practice for ages. It is based on oxidative decomposition of hair colour, which is usually done using peroxide or peroxide releasing compounds such as persulfates. Due to highly irritating potential of these bleaching ingredients and dustiness of powder compositions, it is preferred to provide granular composition where dust is reduced by agglomerating small particles into granulates using various binding agents. Most popular binding agent is mineral oil, which was the subject matter of EP 560 088 B1. Furthermore, EP 778 020 A1 suggests the use of oil and wax compounds or their mixtures for preparation of suspensions.

The bleaching of human hair customarily consists of a process with the following steps: Homogenous mixing of a water-free preparation, preferably a powder, comprising at least one compound with a bleaching and/or highlighting effect, in particular a solid peroxide salt, preferably ammonium, potassium and/or sodium persulfate or earth alkali peroxide, with an aqueous hydrogen peroxide composition, application of this composition onto the hair, and rinsing after bleaching is completed. It has been known for some time that use of these compounds is effective with regard to the bleaching, but higher concentrations can lead to hair damage and/or scalp irritation. Especially hair damaging problems are aggravated with repeatedly bleached hair. Therefore, it is and important issue that consumers are provided with effective bleaching compositions with less damaging effect. Unfortunately due to the strong oxidative activity some level of damage must be accepted.

Therefore, aim of the present invention is to find out a composition for bleaching and/or highlighting hair which does effectively bleach hair but causes less damage so that repeated bleaching processes may be done without causing ultimate hair loss.

The inventors of the present invention have surprisingly found out that a bleaching composition based at least one compound with bleaching effect and furthermore comprising a specific chelating agent effectively bleaches hair and causes less hair damage.

Accordingly, the first object of the present invention is a substantially water free bleaching and/or highlighting composition for keratin fibres, especially human hair, comprising at least one compound with bleaching and/or highlighting effect and a polyhydroxy carboxylic acid as a chelating agent.

The second object of the present invention is the use of a substantially water free composition comprising at least one compound with bleaching and/or highlighting effect and a polyhydroxy carboxylic acid as a chelating agent for effectively bleaching keratin fibres especially human hair.

The term bleaching composition is used to define any bleaching composition either water free or an aqueous i.e. after mixing with aqueous oxidizing agent.

With the term “substantially water free bleaching and/or highlighting composition” it is meant that no additional water is introduced into the composition other than bound water which may be as high as 1% of the composition.

According to the present invention, the composition comprises at least one compound with bleaching and/or highlighting effect. Suitable compounds are in general peroxides. Useful as such are in particular persulfates such as sodium and potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate, earth alkali peroxides such as magnesium peroxide, melamine peroxide or urea peroxide or phtholimidoperoxyhexanoic acid, and mixtures thereof. The proportion of peroxides is at least 5%, preferably in the range of 20 to 80%, more preferably 25 to 60% and most preferably 30 to 55% by weight, calculated to total composition prior to mixing with oxidizing lotion.

According to the invention, the substantially water free composition can also comprise 0.1% to 10% by weight, calculated to total composition prior to mixing with oxidizing lotion, at least one ammonium salts. Suitable ammonium salts are ammonium carbonate, ammonium hydrogen carbonate, ammonium carbamate, ammonium chloride, ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphates, ammonium nitrate, ammonium bromide, ammonium iodide, ammonium thiosulfate, ammonium molybdate, ammonium vanadate, ammonium sulfamate, ammonium citrate, ammonium salicylate, ammonium valerate, ammonium tartarate, ammonium benzoate, ammonium acetate, ammonium formiate and ammonium lactate. Compositions may also comprise mixture or ammonium salts.

Preferred thereof are the ammonium phosphates, such as ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, ammonium hydrogen phosphate, diammonium sodium phosphate, sodium ammonium hydrogen phospahe, ammonium disodium phosphate, as well as ammonium chloride, ammonium sulphate, diammonium hydrogen citrate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium hydrogen carbonate preferably in an amount from 0.1% to 10% by weight, calculated to total composition prior to mixing with oxidizing lotion.

As known from EP 609 796 A2, the ammonium compounds can also be used as sole bleaching agent in respectively higher amounts.

The total proportion of the compounds with bleaching and/or highlighting effect preferably ranges from 5% to 85%, preferably 20% to 80%, more preferably 25 to 70% and most preferably 30 to 60% by weight calculated to total composition prior to mixing with oxidizing lotion.

In addition to the active component, substantially water free bleaching and/or highlighting compositions also comprise the components customarily used in such compositions: In particular inert pulverulent carrier materials, these are for example, pyrogenic silicium dioxide, starch powder, etc., alkalizing agents, such as sodium metasilicate, surface-active substances, binding agents, etc. In order to avoid repetition, reference is made to the respective standard literature, for example, K. Schrader and A. Domsch, “Cosmetology—Theory and Practice (2005, Verlag für Chemische Industrie), pages 142 to 151.

Composition of the present invention comprises a polyhydroxy carboxylic acid, preferably a polyhydroxy monocarboxylic acid. Suitable and most preferred is gluconic acid and its salts especially mono valent cation salts such as sodium, potassium and ammonium salts. Concentration of a polyhydroxy monocarboxylic acid, preferably gluconic acid, is in the range of 0.01 to 10%, preferably 0.05 to 7.5% and more preferably 0.1 to 5% and most preferably 0.1 to 4% by weight calculated to total of the composition.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, substantially water free bleaching and highlighting composition of the present invention is in powder form and in particular in dust free powder form and comprises oily lipophilic ingredients such as vegetable oils, for example, jojoba oil or any other; petrolatum liquid paraffins, especially paraffinum perliquidum and parafiinum subliquidum; silicone oils; hydropobic fatty acid esters such as octyl palmitate, isocetyl palmitate, isopropyl palmitate and octyl stearate, C₁₀- to C₃₆-fatty acid triglycerides, as well as their mixtures. In the case that the use is wished among those the most preferred ones are silicone oils, jojoba oil, fatty acid esters, paraffin oils, combinations of fatty acid esters and paraffin oils. Fatty acid esters and/or paraffin oils and/or silicone oils are particularly preferred. Concentration of these oily lipophilic compounds are used in a total amount of about 0.1 to 50% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 40%, more preferably 1 to 35% and most preferably 2.5 to 30% by weight, calculated to total composition prior to mixing with oxidizing lotion.

In principal any silicone oil is useful as a lipophilic compound. Preferred are dimthicones, dimethiconols and arylated silicones as a lipophilic ingredient at a concentration range of 0.1 to 50%, preferably 0.5 to 40%, more preferably 1 to 35% and most preferably 2.5 to 30% by weight calculated to total composition prior to mixing with oxidizing lotion. Non-limiting suitable examples are dimethicones with various viscosity available from Dow Corning under the trade name DC 200, arylated silicones such as phenyl methicone, phenyl trimethicone, diphenyl dimethicone, diphenylsiloxy phenyl trimethicone, tetramethyl tetraphenyl trisiloxane, triphenyl trimethicone, tetramethly tetraphenyl trisiloxane and pentaphenyl trimethyl trisiloxane.

Further, in another preferred form of the invention substantially water free composition for bleaching and/or highlighting hair comprises polymers from the group consisting of cellulose polymer compounds, alginate, polysaccarides and acrylic acid polymers, preferably methyl cellulose compounds, ethyl cellulose compounds, hydroxyethylcellulose compounds, methylhydroxyethylcellulose compounds, methylhydroxypropylcellulose compounds, carboxymethyl cellulose compounds, alginic acids, sodium alginates, ammonium alginates, calcium alginates, gum arabic, guar gum or xanthan gum, or acrylic acid polymers with molecular weights from about 1,250,000 to 4,000,000, alone or in combination with each other. The polymers are used in a total amount of 0.1 to 15%, preferably from 0.2 to 10%, and more preferably in an amount of from 0.5 to 7.5% by weight, calculated to total composition prior to mixing with oxidizing lotion.

Substantially water free bleaching and/or highlighting composition can also comprise cationic polymers as conditioning and/or thickening agents. Those are cationic cellulose type polymers know as Polymer JR type from Amerchol such as Polyquaternium 10 or cationic guar gum known with trade name Jaguar from Rhöne-Poulenc and chemically for example Guar hydroxypropyl trimonium chloride. Furthermore, chitosan and chitin can also be included in the compositions as cationic natural polymers.

Furthermore, it has been found suitable those cationic polymers known with their CTFA category name Polyquaternium. Typical examples of those Polyquaternium 1, Polyquaternium 2, Polyquaternium 4, Polyquaternium 5, Polyquaternium 6, Polyquaternium 7, Polyquaternium 8, Polyquaternium 9, Polyquaternium 10, Polyquaternium 11, Polyquaternium 12, Polyquaternium 13, Polyquaternium 14, Polyquaternium 15, Polyquaternium 16, Polyquaternium 17, Polyquaternium 18, Polyquaternium 19, Polyquaternium 20, Polyquaternium 22, Polyquaternium 24, Polyquaternium 27, Polyquaternium 28, Polyquaternium 29, Polyquaternium 30, Polyquaternium 31, Polyquaternium 32, Polyquaternium 33, Polyquaternium 34, Polyquaternium 35 and Polyquaternium 36, Polyquaternium-37, Polyquaternium 39, Polyquaternium 42, Polyquaternium 43, Polyquaternium 44, Polyquaternium 45, Polyquaternium 46, Polyquaternium 47, Polyquaternium 48, Polyquaternium-49, Polyquaternium 50, Polyquaternium 51, Polyquaternium 52, Polyquaternium 53, Polyquaternium 54, Polyquaternium 55, Polyquaternium 56, Polyquaternium 57, Polyquaternium 58, Polyquaternium 59, Polyquaternium 60, Polyquaternium 61, Polyquaternium 62, Polyquaternium 63, Polyquaternium 64, Polyquaternium 65, Polyquaternium 66, Polyquaternium 67, Polyquaternium 68, Polyquaternium 69, Polyquaternium-70, Polyquaternium 71, Polyquaternium 72, Polyquaternium 73, Polyquaternium 74, Polyquaternium 75, Polyquaternium 76, Polyquaternium 77, Polyquaternium 78, Polyquaternium-79, Polyquaternium 80, Polyquaternium 81, Polyquaternium 82, Polyquaternium 83, Polyquaternium 84, Polyquaternium 85, Polyquaternium 86 and Polyquaternium 87.

Typical concentration range for any of the cationic conditioners mentioned above can be 0.1-7.5% by weight, preferably 0.3-5% by weight and more preferably 0.5-2.5% by weight, calculated to total composition prior to mixing with an oxidizing agent.

Substantially water free bleaching and/or highlighting composition of the present invention may comprise at least one dialkyl carbonate of general formula R₃₀ OC(O)OR₃₁ where R₃₀ and R₃₁ are independent from each other linear or branched saturated alkyl chains with 6 to 22 C atoms.

Preferred at least one dialkyl carbonate is selected from di(caprylyl) carbonate and di(ethylhexyl) carbonate.

Concentration of at least dialkyl carbonate may vary between 0.1 and 30% by weight calculated to total composition prior to mixing with an oxidizing agent.

Substantially water free bleaching and/or highlighting compositions of the present invention can comprise synthetic mica coated with metal oxide or oxides having a volume particle size distribution in the range of 1 to 750 μm. Use of synthetic mica coated with metal oxide or oxides mainly in decorative cosmetics is disclosed in an international patent application of Sun Chemical Corporation published with a number WO 2005/065632 A1. In the document synthetic mica and coated synthetic mica with at least one metal oxide or oxides is disclosed in detail. The content of the document is included herewith by reference.

Suitable metal oxide or oxides for coating synthetic mica are titanium dioxide, chromium oxide, ferric oxide or mixtures thereof. In the present invention the preferred is synthetic mica coated with titanium dioxide. Such materials are commercially available from Sun Chemical Corporation and Merck (Timiron Synwhite 40) and known with their INCI names Synthetic Fluorphologopite

The volume particle size distribution of synthetic mica coated with a metal oxide or oxides is in the range of 1 to 750 μm, preferably 1 to 250 μm, more preferably 1 to 100 μm and most preferably 5 to 95 μm. The particle sizes referred are relating to the volume particle size distribution meaning that particles found in the coated synthetic mica having volume particle size in the given ranges.

Concentration of synthetic mica coated with at least metal oxide or oxides is from 0.01 to 20%, preferably 0.1 to 15%, more preferably 0.25 to 10% and most preferably 0.5 to 55% by weight calculated to total composition prior to mixing with an oxidizing agent.

Interestingly, it has been observed that the mixture of substantially water free powder composition comprising at least one bleaching and/or highlighting agent, at least one magnesium salt and synthetic mica coated with at least one metal oxide or oxides with a particle size as mentioned above and a composition comprising at least one oxidizing agent look very homogeneous, shiny and easy to apply onto hair than a mixture which does not comprise synthetic mica.

The avarage particle size of the dust free bleaching powder composition according to the invention is generally range below 1 mm, preferably below 500 μm, more preferably less than 400 μm and in particular about 25 to about 100 μm, thus ensuring excellent processing capability, i.e. miscibility with an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution prior to application onto human hair.

Bleaching and/or highlighting compositions of the present invention comprises one or more magnesium and/or calcium salt in order to prevent heating up and/or foaming when mixed with an aqueous composition comprising at least one oxidizing agent. Both organic and inorganic salts are suitable for the purpose of the present invention. Inorganic salts are most preferred. Suitable magnesium salts are magnesium aluminium borosilicate, magnesium aspartate, magnesium borate, magnesium bromate, magnesium bromide, magnesium benzoate, magnesium acetate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium citrate, magnesium clorate, magnesium dihydrogen phosphate, magnesium fluoride, magnesium formate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium iodide, magnesium lactate, magnesium mandalate, magnesium monofluorophosphate, magnesium oxalate, magnesium oxide, magnesium perborate, magnesium phosphate, magnesium propionate, magnesium pyrophosphate, magnesium salicylate, magnesium silicate, and magnesium tartarate.

Suitable calcium salts are calcium aluminium borosilicate, calcium aspartate, calcium benzoate, calcium acetate, calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, calcium dihydrogen phosphate, calcium fluoride, calcium hydroxide, calcium lactate, calcium monofluorophosphate, calcium oxide, calcium phosphate, calcium propionate, calcium pyrophosphate, calcium sulphate, calcium nitrate, calcium salicylate, calcium silicate, hydrate, calcium tartarate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium chloride, calcium iodide and calcium bromide.

Concentration of one or more magnesium and/or calcium salt in the compositions of the present invention is between 0.1 and 20%, preferably between 0.5 and 15%, more preferably between 0.75 and 10% and most preferably between 1 and 7.5% by weight calculated to total composition prior to mixing with oxidizing lotion.

Belaching compositions can comprise at least one diamide compound. Preferred diamide compounds are according to the general structure

wherein R₁ is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl chain with 1 to 12C atoms which may be substituted with hydroxy and/or alkoxy groups, preferably R₁ is linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl chain with 1 to 12C atoms which may be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from a hydroxy group and C1 to C6 alkoxy group, more preferably R₁ is a unsubstituted alkyl group with 1 to 12C atoms, and alkyl group with 2 to 12C atoms substituted by one or two hydroxyl groups, by one alkoxy group with 1 to 6C atoms or by one hydroxyl and one alkoxy group with 2 to 6C atoms, R₂ is linear or branched alkyl chain with 1 to 5C atoms, preferably linear or branched alkyl chain with 2 to 5C atoms and more preferably an alkyl chain with 2 to 3C atoms, and R₃ linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl chain with 1 to 22C atoms, preferably linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl chain with 11 to 22C atoms.

Preferred individual diamide compounds are the ones according to the formula A to G.

Particularly preferred diamide compound is the compound F which is bis (methoxypropylamido) isodocosane and commercially available from Kao Corporation—Japan.

Concentration of diamide compounds in the compositions of the present invention is in the range of 0.001 to 5%, preferably 0.002 to 3% more preferably 0.005 to 2% and most preferably 0.01 to 1% by weight calculated to total composition.

The powder composition can be produced with processes such as by mixing the powdery ingredients first and subsequently adding lipophilic ingredient(s) and by fluidized bed method. In fluidized bed method, powder ingredients are mixed in a vessel and made flowing by inletting an air flow which may be heated (preferred when using waxy component) or carried out at room (ambient) temperature and while the powder mix freely “flowing” lipophilic ingredinet and/or mixture with any other liquid component is sprayed from a nozzle mounted above the powder batch.

The bleaching and/or highlighting composition of the present invention is mixed prior to application with an oxidizing lotion comprising at least one oxidizing agent. The oxidizing agents suitable are hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, melamin peroxide or perborate salts. The most preferred is hydrogen peroxide. Such composition comprises 2 to 12% by weight at least one oxidizing agent preferably hydrogen peroxide and is either a solution or in the form of an emulsion. The mixing ratio is very much dependent on the level of bleaching effect targeted, i.e. the level of highlighting and/or bleaching and darkness of hair before bleaching, and can be adjusted accordingly by hair dressers. However, generally mixing ratio is within the range of 0.5 to 4 by weight (bleaching composition to oxidizing composition), preferably in the range of 1 to 2 by weight.

The pH of the ready to use product, mixture of bleaching composition and oxidizing lotion, is in the range of 8 to 12, in particular between 9 and 11.

In another preferred form of the present invention a third composition is mixed into the mixture of water free bleaching and/or highlighting composition and oxidizing composition. The third composition is preferably an aqueous composition and can be in form of a solution, thickened composition, gel, emulsion or a suspension. It may even be a product dispensed from a pressurised contained including any one of the above mentioned type of preparations.

The third composition preferably comprises at least one hair conditioning compound. Hair conditioning compound is preferably selected from non-ionic substances, oil or oily substances, cationic compounds.

Non-ionic conditioning agents can be polyethyleneglycol mono or di fatty acid esters having general formula R₄ CO(OCH₂CH₂)_(n)OH or R₄CO(OCH₂CH₂)_(n)OOCR₅ wherein R₄ and R₅ are independent from each other saturated, unsaturated or branched or non-branched alkyl chain with 7 to 21C atoms and n is typically 2-100. Suitable cationic conditioning compounds are those carrying a quaternary ammonium group or a cationizable group and selected from cationic polymers, cationic surfactants and quaternary ammonium or amino silicones. Suitable cationic polymers are those of best known with their CTFA category name Polyquaternium as disclosed above for water free bleaching and/or highlighting composition as well as those polymers known with their CTFA category name Quaternium and disclosed above for water free bleaching and/or highlighting composition.

The third composition and also water free bleaching composition of the present invention can comprise an organopolysiloxane wherein at least one silicium atom is linked to an alkylene group having a hetero-atom, in particular a nitrogen atom, with a poly-(N-acyl alkyleneimine) units of the formula

wherein n is a number from 1 to 5 and R₆ is hydrogen, a C₁-C₁₂-alkyl or cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aryl group as a conditioning agent. Preferred organopolysiloxane polymers are those of the type disclosed in EP-A 640 643, in particular optionally quaternized aminoalkyl, in particular aminopropyl dimethyl polysiloxane/polyethyl oxazoline copolymers of the formula

wherein m and n each are numbers from 20 to 10,000, in particular 50 to 7,000, especially 100 to 5,000, x is a number between 1 and 5, preferably 3, and y is a number from 5 to 30, R₇ is a C₁-C₁₂-alkyl or aryl group, in particular a methyl, ethyl or benzyl group, and Y⁻ is an anion.

Especially suited are the organopolysiloxanes disclosed under the terms A-1, A-2 and A-3 on pages 12 to 13 of EP-A 640 643. The proportion of graft copolymers in the hair colouring compositions according to the invention ranges from 0.05% to 5%, preferably 0.1% to 2.5%, in particular 0.5% to 1.5% by weight, calculated to the total composition prior to mixing with oxidizing and bleaching and/or highlighting composition.

Cationic surfactants suitable for the third composition of the present invention are according to the general formula

where R₉ is a saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight alkyl chain with 8-22C atoms or R₁₃CONH(CH₂)_(n) where R₁₃ is saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight alkyl chain with 7-21C atoms and n has value of 1-4, or R₁₄COO(CH₂)_(n) where R₁₄ is saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight alkyl chain with 7-21C atoms and n has value of 1-4, and

R₁₀ is unsaturated or saturated, branched or straight alkyl chain with 1-22C atoms or R₁₃CONH(CH₂)_(n) or R₁₄COO(CH₂)_(n) where R₁₃, R₁₄ and n are same as above.

R₁₁ and R₁₂ are lower alkyl chain with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and X is anion such as chloride, bromide, methosulfate.

Typical examples of those ingredients are cetyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, steartrimonium chloride, behentrimonium chloride, stearamidopropyl trimonuim chloride, dioleoylethyl dimethyl ammonium methosulfate, dioleoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate.

Amido amines may as well be used as a conditioning cationic surfactant in the compositions of the present invention. Typical non-limiting example is stearamidopropylamine known with a trade name Tego Amid S18 from Degussa and behenamidopropyl dimethyl amine available under the trade name Amidet APA 22 from Kao Chemicals.

Oily substances are selected from such as silicone oils, volatile or non-volatile, natural and synthetic oils. Among silicone oils those can be added to the compositions include dimethicone, dimethiconol, polydimethylsiloxane, DC fluid ranges from Dow Corning, arylated silicones such as phenyl trimethicone or any other silicone with up to 5 aryl, preferably phenyl, group in its molecule, natural oils such as olive oil, almond oil, avocado oil, wheatgerm oil, ricinus oil and the synthetic oils, such as mineral oil, isopropyl myristate, palmitate, stearate and isostearate, oleyl oleate, isocetyl stearate, hexyl laurate, dibutyl adipate, dioctyl adipate, myristyl myristate and oleyl erucate.

The compositions according to the invention may also comprise further conditioning substances such as protein hydrolyzates and polypeptides, e.g., keratin hydrolyzates, collagen hydrolyzates of the type “Nutrilan®” or elastin hydrolyzates, as well as also in particular plant protein hydrolyzates, optionally, cationized protein hydrolyzates, e.g., “Gluadin®”.

Typical concentration range for any of those conditioners, non-ionic compounds, oil or oil like substances, cationic polymers, silicon oil and derivatives and cationic surfactants is in the range of 0.01-10% by weight, preferably 0.01-7.5% by weight, more preferably 0.05-5% and most preferably 0.1-5% by weight calculated to the total composition prior to mixing with oxidizing and bleaching and/or highlighting composition.

In the case that the third composition is in the form of an emulsion, it comprises as an emulsion base at least one fatty alcohol or mixture of fatty alcohols with the chain length of 14 to 22C atoms. Examples to suitable fatty alcohols, without limiting the choice, are myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol and cetostearyl alcohol. The most preferred is cetostearyl alcohol well known with its trade name Lanette O or as Lanette N in mixture with sodium cetearyl sulfate from Cognis.

The concentration of fatty alcohol(s) is in the range from 0.5 to 20%, preferably 1 to 15% by weight, calculated to total composition prior to mixing with oxidizing and bleaching and/or highlighting composition.

The third composition according to present invention comprises surfactants selected from anionic, nonionic, amphoteric (or zwiterionic) and/or cationic surfactants or their mixtures as emulsifier or solubilizer. Cationic surfactants are as well used as hair conditioners as mentioned above.

Anionic surfactants suitable within the scope of the invention are in principal known from the cleansing compositions

These are anionic surfactants of the sulfate, sulfonate, carboxylate and alkyl phosphate type, for example, the known C₁₀-C₁₈-alkyl sulfates, and in particular the respective ether sulfates, for example, C₁₂₋C₁₄-alkyl ether sulfate, lauryl ether sulfate, especially with 1 to 4 ethylene oxide groups in the molecule, monoglyceride (ether) sulfates, fatty acid amide sulfates obtained by ethoxylation and subsequent sulfatation of fatty acid alkanolamides, and the alkali salts thereof, as well as the salts of long-chain mono- and dialkyl phosphates.

Additional anionic surfactants useful within the scope of the invention are α-olefin sulfonates or the salts thereof, and in particular alkali salts of sulfosuccinic acid semiesters, for example, the disodium salt of monooctyl sulfosuccinate and alkali salts of long-chain monoalkyl ethoxysulfosuccinates.

Suitable surfactants of the carboxylate type are alkyl polyether carboxylic acids and the salts thereof as well as alkyl amido polyether carboxylic acids and salts thereof. Such products have been known for some time and are on the market, for example, under the trade name “AKYPO®” and “AKYPO-SOFT® ”.

Further suitable anionic surfactants are also C₈-C₂₂-acyl aminocarboxylic acids or the water-soluble salts thereof. Especially preferred is N-lauroyl glutamate, in particular as sodium salt, as well as, for example, N-lauroyl sarcosinate, N-C₁₂-C₁₈-acyl asparaginic acid, N-myristoyl sarcosinate, N-oleoyl sarcosinate, N-lauroyl methylalanine, N-lauroyl lysine and N-lauroyl aminopropyl glycine, preferably in form of the water-soluble alkali or ammonium, in particular the sodium salts thereof, preferably in admixture with the above-named anionic surfactants.

It is also possible to use mixtures of several anionic surfactants.

Further surfactants in the third composition according to the invention are nonionic surfactants which are one of the preferred emulsifying surfactant within the scope of present invention. Especially suited nonionic surfactants are, for example, long-chain fatty acid mono- and dialkanolamides, such as coco fatty acid mono- or diethanolamide and myristic fatty acid mono or diethanolamide, stearic acid mono or diethanolamide. Further nonionic surfactants suited are alkyl polyglucosides with an alkyl group of 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and with 1 to 5 glucoside units. Further additionally useful nonionic surfactants are, for example, the various sorbitan esters, such as polyethylene glycol sorbitan stearic acid ester, fatty acid polyglycol esters or poly-condensates of ethyleneoxide and propyleneoxide, as they are on the market, for example, under the trade name “Pluronics®”, as well as fatty alcohol ethoxylates. Further nonionic surfactants preferred in the dyeing compositions according to invention are C₁₀-C₂₂-fatty alcohol ethoxylates. Especially suited are C₁₀-C₂₂-fatty alcohol ethers, the alkyl polyglycol ethers known by the generic terms “Laureth”, “Myristeth”, “Oleth”, “Ceteth”, “Deceth”, “Steareth” and “Ceteareth” according to the CTFA nomenclature, including addition of the number of ethylene oxide molecules, e.g., “Laureth-16”: The average degree of ethoxylation thereby ranges between about 2.5 and about 25, preferably about 10 and about 20.

As further surfactant component, the dyeing compositions according to the invention can also contain amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants. Useful as such are in particular the various known betaines such as alkyl betaines, fatty acid amidoalkyl betaines and sulfobetaines, for example, lauryl hydroxysulfobetaine; long-chain alkyl amino acids, such as cocoaminoacetate, cocoaminopropionate and sodium cocoamphopropionate and -acetate have also proven suitable.

Cationic surfactants mentioned above as conditioner and especially those with single long alkyl chain such as cetrimonium chloride and behentrimonium chloride are also suitable emulsifiers according to present invention.

The concentration of one or more emulsifiers in the third compositions is in the range from 0.1 to 15%, preferably 0.5 to 10% by weight, calculated to total composition prior to mixing with oxidizing and bleaching and/or highlighting composition.

The third composition according to the present invention can contain organic solvent. Examples of such organic solvents are benzyloxy ethanol, benzyl alcohol, phenoxy ethanol, phenoxy isopropanol, methyl phenoxy ethanol, benzyl glycerol, N-benzyl formide, N-methyl pyrrolidone, N-ethyl pyrrolidone, cinnamyl alcohol, phenethyl alcohol, p-methyl benzyl alcohol, butyl cellosolve, methyl carbitol, ethyl carbitol, propyl carbitol, butyl carbitol, diethyleneglycol, diethyl ether and dipropyleneglycol diethyl ether. Typically the concentration of those solvents can be in the range from 0.5% to 10%, preferably 0.5-5% by weight calculated to the total composition prior to mixing with oxidizing and bleaching and/or highlighting composition.

The third composition can contain one or more thickening agents. The thickening agents disclosed for water free bleaching and/or highlighting compositions are also suitable for the third composition at the above given concentration ranges.

Another preferred compound in the composition of present invention especially in bleaching and/or highlighting composition and in the third composition is ceramide type of compounds according to general formula

wherein R₂₀ and R2₁ are independent from each other alkyl- or alkenyl group with 10 to 22 carbon atoms, R₂₂ is alkyl or hydroxyl alkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms group and n is a number between 1 to 6, preferably 2 or 3. Preferred compound according to the above chemical structure is cetyl-PG-hydroxyethylpalmitamide. Concentration of ceramide type of compounds ranges from 0.01 to 2%, preferably 0.01 to 1% by weight calculated to total composition prior to mixing with oxidizing and bleaching and/or highlighting composition.

Another preferred compound in the composition of present invention especially in bleaching and/or highlighting composition and in the third composition may be comprised is ubichinone type of compounds according to general formula

wherein n is a number from 1 to 10. Concentration of ubichinone can vary between 0.001% and 10% by weight, calculated to the total composition prior to mixing with oxidizing and bleaching and/or highlighting composition.

The third composition may as well comprise UV filters of oil soluble, non-ionic, ones and/or as well those of water soluble and mainly of anionic character. Non-limiting examples are Benzophenone-1 Benzophenone-2, Benzophenone-3, Benzophenone-7, Benzophenone-6, Benzophenone-8, octylmethoxy cinnamate, homosalat to those of oil soluble ones and Benzophenone-4, benzophenone-9 to those anionic water soluble ones. It should be noted that the other UV filters of oil and water soluble ones should as well be possible to combine. Concentration of UV filters is in the range of 0.05 to 5%, preferably 0.1 to 2.5% and more preferably 0.1 to 1% by weight calculated to total composition prior to mixing with oxidizing and bleaching and/or highlighting composition.

Conditioning agents preferred are the ones mentioned above as oily lipophilic ingredients such as natural, synthetic and mineral oils and cationic compounds such as quaternary ammonium surfactants and cationic polymer disclosed above as well.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the third composition comprises at least one direct dye. Suitable direct dyes are anionic, cationic and non-ionic nitro dyes.

Suitable anionic direct dyes in aqueous composition are Acid Black 1, Acid Blue 1, Acid Blue 3, Food Blue 5, Acid Blue 7, Acid Blue 9, Acid Blue 74, Acid Orange 3, Acid Orange 6, Acid Orange 7, Acid Orange 10, Acid Red 1, Acid Red 14, Acid Red 18, Acid Red 27, Acid Red 50, Acid Red 52, Acid Red 73, Acid Red 87, Acid Red 88, Acid Red 92, Acid Red 155, Acid Red 180, Acid Violet 9, Acid Violet 43, Acid Violet 49, Acid Yellow 1, Acid Yellow 23, Acid Yellow 3, Food Yellow No. 8, D&C Brown No. 1, D&C Green No. 5, D&C Green No. 8, D&C Orange No. 4, D&C Orange No. 10, D&C Orange No. 11, D&C Red No. 21, D&C Red No. 27, D&C Red No. 33, D&C Violet 2, D&C Yellow No. 7, D&C Yellow No. 8, D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Red 2, FD&C Red 40, FD&C Red No. 4, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue 1, Food Black 1, Food Black 2, Disperse Black 9 and Disperse Violet 1 and their alkali metal salts such as sodium, potassium. Among those, the most preferred anionic dyestuffs are Acid Red 52, DC Violet 2, DC Red 33, DC Orange 4, DC Red 27 and DC Yellow 10.

Suitable cationic dyes in aqueous composition are in principal those available on the market for cosmetic hair colouring applications. For this purpose, special reference is made to the PCT application WO 95/15144 of Ciba-Geigy AG. Some examples to those are Basic Blue 6, Basic Blue 7, Basic Blue 9, Basic Blue 26, Basic Blue 41, Basic Blue 99, Basic Brown 4, Basic Brown 16, Basic Brown 17, Natural Brown 7, Basic Green 1, Basic Red 2, Basic Red 12 Basic Red 22, Basic Red 76, Basic Violet 1, Basic Violet 2, Basic Violet 3, Basic Violet 10, Basic Violet 14, Basic Yellow 57, Basic red 51, Basic Yellow 87 and Basic Orange 31. The most preferred ones are Basic red 51, Basic Yellow 87 and Basic Orange 31 sold by CIBA.

Additionally, the aqueous compositions of the present invention may comprise neutral dyes (HC dyes), so called nitro dyes for shading purposes. Some examples to those are: HC Blue No. 2, HC Blue No. 4, HC Blue No. 5, HC Blue No. 6, HC Blue No. 7, HC Blue No. 8, HC Blue No. 9, HC Blue No. 10, HC Blue No. 11, HC Blue No. 12, HC Blue No. 13, HC Brown No. 1, HC Brown No. 2, HC Green No. 1, HC Orange No. 1, HC Orange No. 2, HC Orange No. 3, HC Orange No. 5, HC Red BN, HC Red No. 1, HC Red No. 3, HC Red No. 7, HC Red No. 8, HC Red No. 9, HC Red No. 10, HC Red No. 11, HC Red No. 13, HC Red No. 54, HC Red No. 14, HC Violet BS, HC Violet No. 1, HC Violet No. 2, HC Yellow No. 2, HC Yellow No. 4, HC Yellow No. 5, HC Yellow No. 6, HC Yellow No. 7, HC Yellow No. 8, HC Yellow No. 9, HC Yellow No. 10, HC Yellow No. 11, HC Yellow No. 12, HC Yellow No. 13, HC Yellow No. 14, HC Yellow No. 15, 2-Amino-6-chloro-4-nitrophenol, picramic acid, 1,2-Diamino-4-nitrobenzol, 1,4-Diamino-2-nitrobenzol, 3-Nitro-4-aminophenol, 1-Hydroxy-2-amino-3-nitrobenzol and 2-hydroxyethylpicramic acid.

Plant dyestuffs can also be used alone or in combination with synthetic direct-acting dyestuffs, for example henna (red or black), alkanna root, laccaic acid, indigo, logwood powder, madder root and rhubarb powder, etc.

From the above disclosed direct dyes the preferred are cationic and nitro dyes and most preferred are cationic direct dyes.

According to the invention, the third composition comprises one or more direct dye at a concentration of 0.1 to 7.5% by weight calculated to the total composition prior to mixing with bleaching and oxidizing compositions mentioned above. The third composition can also comprise mixture of several direct dyes i.e. an anionic, a cationic and/or a nonionic ones. In such a case the dyes may be mixed at any ratio with each other.

The above mentioned direct dyes of cationic, anionic and nonionic character can also be added into the water free bleaching and/or highlighting composition at the concentration given in the above paragraph. The direct dyes of different characters can certainly be mixed as well.

pH of the aqueous third composition of the present invention varies between 2 and 12, preferably 3-10, more preferably 4 to 8. pH is adjusted to the required pH by using monoethanolamine, triethanolamine, ammonia or its salts with acids such as ammonium chloride, ammonium sulphate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium nitrate, or using alkaline solutions such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and their respective salts with the known acids.

It should be noted that pH of the mixture of bleaching and/or highlighting composition, third composition and oxidizing lotion, ready to use composition, is in the range of 8 to 12, in particular between 9 and 11.

The mixing ratio of the bleaching and/or highlighting composition to third composition, depending on the colour result to be achieved varies between 10:1 to 1:1, preferably 8:1 to 2:1 and more preferably 5:1 to 3:1, all by weight, which may further mixed with an oxidizing lotion at a weight ratio of preferably 1:1. The above ratios are valid when third composition does not comprise direct dye. In case direct dye is contained in the third composition preferred mixing ratio is 1:1 which than mixed with oxidizing lotion.

Accordingly, further object of the present invention is a kit for bleaching and/or highlighting keratin fibres especially human hair comprising

-   a—a water free composition comprising at least one compound with     bleaching and/or highlighting effect and a compound comprising at     least two amide bonds in its structure. -   b—an aqueous composition comprising at least one oxidizing agent,     and -   c—optionally, a third composition preferably an aqueous composition     comprising at least one hair conditioning agent and/or a direct dye.

Further object of the present invention is kit for bleaching and/or highlighting keratin fibres especially human hair comprising

-   a—a water free composition comprising at least one compound with     bleaching and/or highlighting effect -   b—an aqueous composition comprising at least one oxidizing agent -   c—a third composition preferably an aqueous composition comprising     at least one hair conditioning agent     wherein one or more of the three compositions comprises a compound     comprising at least two amide bonds in its structure. Preferably     compositions a and b and more preferably all three compositions     comprise a compound comprising at least two amide bonds in its     structure.

Hair bleaching process is carried out as usual using the compositions of the present invention. Briefly, the mixture of water free composition, oxidizing lotion and optionally third compositions is prepared and applied onto dry hair and processed for 1 to 45 min and rinsed of from hair and shampooed, if necessary.

Process for bleaching hair wherein a substantially water free composition of the present invention is mixed homogeneously with an aqueous composition comprising at least one oxidizing agent and optionally a third composition comprising at least one at least one hair conditioning agent and/or a direct dye and applied onto hair and after processing 1 to 45 min rinsed off from hair.

Although the preferred process for dyeing and bleaching is a single step process, two-step processes may as well be used with the compositions of the present invention. One of the ways of carrying out in two steps is that in the first step, bleaching and/or highlighting composition of the present invention is firstly mixed with an oxidizing agent and applied onto hair and left 5 to 20 min and afterwards without rinsing off the third composition comprising at least one direct dye is applied onto hair and additionally processed for 5 to 30 min and rinsed off from hair and shampooed, if necessary.

In another way of carrying out the invention in two step is that in the first step, bleaching and/or highlighting composition of the present invention is firstly mixed with an oxidizing agent and applied onto hair and left 5 to 45 min and afterwards rinsed off from hair and subsequently in the second step dyeing composition is applied onto hair and additionally processed for 5 to 45 min and rinsed off from hair and shampooed, if necessary.

The composition of the present invention can contain additional ingredients such as preservatives, chelating agents, fragrance and substances customarily used in cosmetic bleaching and colouring compositions of keratin fibres, especially hair.

The invention is illustrated with the following examples, but not limited to.

EXAMPLE 1

Water Free Bleaching and/or Highlighting Compositions

Potassium persulfate 40% by weight Sodium persulfate 5 Sodium carbonate 1 Sodium silicate 10 Diatomaceous Earth 43 Gluconic acid 1

The above composition is prepared by combining all powder components together and mixing until homogeneity in a suitable mixer.

The water free bleaching composition was mixed with an oxidizing composition of the following composition at a weight ratio of water free powder to oxidizing lotion 1:2.

Oxidizing Lotion

Hydrogen peroxide 9.00 (% by wt.) Phosphoric acid 0.50 Disodium hydrogen phosphate 0.10 Salicylic acid 0.10 Water ad 100.00

The composition was applied onto hair and processed at room temperature for 30 min and rinsed off and hair was dried. The hair was homogeneously bleached.

EXAMPLE 2

Bleaching/Highlighting Powder Composition

Hydroxyethylcellulose 1.00% by weight Cellulose gum 3.00 Tetrasodium EDTA 2.00 Sodium carbonate 1.00 Ammonium persulfate 21.00 Potassium persulfate 46.60 Sodium metasilicate 10.00 Diatomaceous Earth 13.40 Polyquaternium - 10 0.50 Sodium Gluconate 1.10

The above composition was tested in a half side test for its performance on bleaching with 10 volunteers having shoulder length hair. As a comparative composition a composition without Sodium Gluconate but with 15.5% by weight diatomaceous earth was prepared. Bleaching composition was prepared by mixing above water free composition with oxidizing lotion of example 1 at a weight ratio of 1:2 (powder to lotion). Approximately 30 g of each was applied onto hair and processed for 30 min at ambient temperature. Afterwards bleaching composition was rinsed off from hair and shampooed ones and dried with a hair drier.

It was observed that the half side bleached with a composition according to present invention was homogeneously bleached, better in combing, softer and had more shine. Volunteers were of the opinion that it was more natural upon touching than the half side bleached with comparative composition.

EXAMPLE 3

Bleaching and colouring in a single process was carried out using the bleaching composition of example 1, dyeing composition according to the composition below and an oxidizing lotion composition of example 1, however with 6% hydrogen peroxide content instead of 9%.

The Third Composition with Dyestuff

% by weight Cocamide MEA 4.00 Cetearyl alcohol 10.00 Tegin P 1.40 Propylene Glycol 2.40 Oleic acid 3.00 Coenzyme Q10 0.10 Ammonium chloride 0.50 Tetrasodium EDTA 0.20 Sodium lauryl sulfate 1.50 Polysilicone-9 0.20 Pentaphenyl trimethyl trisiloxane 5.00 Cetyl PG hydroxyethyl palmitamide 0.10 Basic red 51 0.50 Water to 100

The bleaching composition of example 2, dyeing composition of above and oxidizing lotion of example 1 were mixed at a weight ratio of 1:1:1 and was applied onto parts of hair (streak) and left 30 min at 40° C. and rinsed off with water and shampooed. Intensive highlighted red streaks were obtained.

Similar results were observed when other cationic, anionic and/or nonionic nitro dyes mentioned in the description are used instead of the cationic dye in the example.

EXAMPLE 4

The third composition

Cetrimonium chloride 1.0 Hydroxyethylcellulose 1.0 Cetearyl alcohol 5.0 Hydrolysed silk 1.0 Fragrance q.s. Preservative q.s. Citric acid q.s. to pH 5.0 Water to 100

Water free bleaching composition of example 2 is mixed with above composition and with oxidizing lotion of example 1 at a weight ratio of 1:1.9:0.1 (water free composition: oxidizing lotion: the third composition). The resulting composition was tested against a bleaching composition of Example 2. It was observed that the half side bleached with a composition mixed with third composition is much more cared interms of combability, shine and softness.

EXAMPLE 5

Bleaching/Highlighting Powder Composition

Hydroxyethylcellulose 1.40% by weight Cellulose gum 3.20 Xanthan gum 0.30 Tetrasodium EDTA 2.00 Sodium carbonate 1.00 Ammonium persulfate 21.00 Potassium persulfate 46.60 Sodium metasilicate 10.20 Corn starch 1.10 Diatomaceous Earth 11.40 Potassium gluconate 0.50 Bis(methoxypropylamido)isodocosane 0.20 Polyquaternium - 10 0.10 Silica* 1.00 Synthetic fluorphologopite** 1.00 *Aerosil 380 **Synthetic fluorphologopite used is commercially available from Merck with a particle size distribution in the range of 5 to 45 μm.

The above composition was produced in the same way as in example 1 and also used in the same way as described under Example 1. When tested against a composition without potassium gluocnate it was found out hair felt less damaged upon touching which was supported by better combability, better shine and softer feel. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A substantially water free bleaching and/or highlighting composition for keratin fibers comprising at least one compound with bleaching and/or highlighting effect and at least one gluconic acid salt as a chelating agent, wherein the at least one compound is present at a concentration in the range from 20% to 80% by weight, calculated to the total composition prior to mixing with oxidizing lotion, and further wherein the chelating agent is present at a concentration in the range from 0.01 to 10% by weight calculated to the total of the composition.
 2. The composition according to claim 1 further comprising at least one ammonium salt.
 3. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the gluconic acid salt is a monovalent cation salt selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium and ammonium.
 4. The composition according to claim 1 further comprising silicone oil and/or mineral oil and/or natural oil as lipophilic ingredient.
 5. The composition according to claim 4 wherein the at least one lipophilic ingredient is present at a concentration of 1 to 50% by weight calculated to total composition prior to mixing with oxidizing lotion.
 6. The composition according to claim 1 further comprising a polymer.
 7. The composition according to claim 6 wherein the polymer is a one cationic polymer.
 8. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising a compound with two amide bonds in its structure is a compound according to general structure

wherein R1 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl chain with 1 to 12 carbon atoms which may be substituted with hydroxy and/or alkoxy groups, R2 is a linear or branched alkyl chain with 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and R3 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl chain with 1 to 22 carbon atoms.
 9. The composition according to claim 1 further comprising at least one synthetic mica coated with metal oxide or oxides having a volume particle size distribution in the range of 1 to 750 um.
 10. The composition according to claim 1 comprising one or more calcium and/or magnesium salt.
 11. The composition according to claim 1 comprising at least one alkalizing agent.
 12. A kit for bleaching and/or highlighting keratin fibers comprising a—the composition according to claim 1, b—an aqueous composition comprising at least one oxidizing agent; and c—optionally, a third composition comprising at least one hair conditioning agent and or a direct dye.
 13. A process for bleaching hair comprising homogeneously mixing the composition according to claim 1 with an aqueous composition comprising at least one oxidizing agent and optionally a third composition comprising at least one hair conditioning agent and/or a direct dye, applying the composition onto hair, processing for 1 to 45 min, and rinsing the composition from hair.
 14. The composition according to claim 3, wherein the at least one compound is present at a concentration from the range from 30 to 80% by weight, calculated to the total composition prior to mixing with oxidizing lotion and the at least one gluconic acid salt is present at the concentration in the range of 0.1 to 4% by weight calculated to the total of the composition.
 15. The composition according to claim 14, wherein the at least one compound comprises persulfates, earth alkali peroxides and mixtures thereof.
 16. The composition according to claim 15, wherein the at least one compound comprises sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate and mixtures thereof.
 17. The composition according to claim 16, wherein the at least one compound comprises ammonium persulfate and potassium persulfate and mixtures thereof and is present at a concentration of 45 to 67.6% by weight, calculated to the total composition, and the chelating agent comprises sodium gluconate or potassium gluconate and is present at a concentration of 0.5 to 1.1% by weight, calculated to the total composition. 